2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 warning lights

5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-27).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-27).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4.(Manual transaxle)

Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)

Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
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5-7
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel’s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don’t
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
Brake Warning Light:Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Don’t drive with this light on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
ABS:The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on ABS as a
substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
WARNING
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5-8
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you’re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake Warning Light on at the Same Time:Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the low
fuel warning light illuminates or when the
needle is near E, refuel as soon as possible.

Dashboard Illumination
When the headlight switch is in the or
position, rotate the thumb-wheel to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard lights.

Instrument Cluster Dimmer
Select Button (Black-out meter)
The instrument cluster dimmer select
button is operable when the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
Adjusting the instrument cluster
illumination intensity (With exterior lights off)*
When the exterior lights are off (headlight
switch is in the OFF position), the
instrument cluster illumination can be
adjusted to one of five levels by
successively pressing the instrument
cluster dimmer select button.
* This function applies only to some
black-out meter equipped vehicles.
Canceling the instrument cluster
illumination dimmer (With exterior lights on)
When the exterior lights are on (headlight
switch is in the or position), the
instrument cluster illumination dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads, or
in other situations when the instrument
cluster's visibility is reduced due to glare
from surrounding brightness, the
instrument cluster dimmer select button
increases the illumination intensity.
Press the button to increase the intensity
of the instrument cluster illumination.
Press the button again to return to the
previous illumination intensity.
NOTE
Black-out meter
When the instrument cluster dimmer is
canceled, the instrument cluster
illumination intensity will not change
by rotating the thumb wheel.
Low fuel
warning light
Bright
Dim
Instrument cluster
dimmer select button
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5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-29
Charging System Warning Light 5-30
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-30
Check Engine Light 5-31
ABS Warning Light 5-31
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-32
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-32
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
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5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-32
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-33
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-33
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-33
Security Indicator Light 5-33
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-34
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-34
TCS Indicator Light 5-35
TCS OFF Indicator Light 5-35
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-36
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-36
Light-On Indicator Light 5-36 Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
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5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-15).
2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-31).
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5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light comes on while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
Brake Warning Light:Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Don’t drive with this light on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Don’t continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
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